Lights, camera, action… celebrating our student success

This year over 1,200 OU students joined us in person to graduate as we held the first in-person degree ceremonies since 2019.

The Covid pandemic meant that we were not able to hold events for those who wanted to mark their OU degree with an official graduation ceremony for almost three years, so it was great to be back at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall in June and October.

In a world where negative headlines dominate, these are truly joyous occasions as students from across Scotland who have studied online come together to celebrate their hard work and achievement. 

The OU has over 20,000 students across Scotland. We provide supported distance learning to students from rural and remote locations (23% of our students), to students who are disabled (24%) and those from some of Scotland most disadvantaged areas (20%).

One in five of the OU’s students in Scotland join without a standard university entrance qualification and, over our two 2022 ceremonies, half of those graduating were first in family to attend university.

We see the pride and emotions from our graduates as they cross the floor to receive their degree certificates.

They have been on an incredible journey, often with many challenges, to get to where they are today, and I am every bit as proud of them as their family and friends.

People of all ages and from all backgrounds, coming together to mark the culmination of a lot of hard work, and of their personal achievement through learning.

The stories of our students speak for themselves. Our youngest recent Bachelor of Arts graduate Kathryn O’Donnell, from Cumbernauld, chose the OU as it offered flexibility to continue with her education after struggling with her health.

She joined her degree course in its second year transferring the credit for her City of Glasgow College HNC and she now has a university degree at 19 when many of her friends are still at university.

Scotland international badminton star Adam Hall successfully juggled a tough physical training regime and the pressures of the international badminton circuit alongside OU assignments and study deadlines over six years.

Graduating with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Sport, Fitness and Coaching degree, the 26-year-old men’s and mixed doubles player has won several international and Scottish titles and recently represented his country at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

For Glasgow student Craig Houston studying with OU gave him the opportunity to completely change careers in a journey that has taken him from sales to social care. He says that studying with the OU helped give him the confidence to change direction and move into a social care role.

Craig, aged 34, has most recently worked as a Service Coordinator with Action for Children in Paisley, supporting young men that have received a short-term prison sentence.

Through our degree ceremonies, we are also delighted to take the opportunity to recognise the work of others whose endeavours make our society a better place.

Through conferring honorary degrees, we are able to highlight individuals whose work resonates with the social justice mission and values of the Open University. The contributions of our most recent Honorary Graduates are humbling.

Fiona Drouet has campaigned against gender-based violence in further and higher education in memory of her daughter Emily, Professor Lynne Cadenhead is a champion of women in business and Sabir Zazai has dedicated his life to securing the rights and improving the lives of refugees and asylum seekers.

By the end of each ceremony, we are left with a feeling of pride, satisfaction and renewed optimism.

We hope that each graduate leaves us equipped to achieve their ambitions. Whatever their endeavours, whatever they go on to do, they remain part of our OU family.

Photos by Julie Howden

7 November 2022